Rest in Peace: Harry Kalas, the voice of NFL Films

by Brad Wells on Apr 13, 2009 4:20 PM EDT in NFL General

If you watched the old HBO show Inside The NFL, one of the best elements of the show was Philadelphia-based announcer Harry Kalas narrating the commentary for the recapped games. You'd see the beautiful, slow motion visuals provided by NFL Films paired with the crackling commentary from Kalas. Whenever the Colts won, I made sure to watch Inside The NFL just so I could hear Kalas' voiceover.

Mr. Kalas' voice over narrates the DVD for the Colts 2006 season and their victory in Super Bowl 41.

Sadly, we will never hear Mr. Kalas provide another voiceover for an NFL game. The man who was the radio announcer for baseball's Philadelphia Phillies since 1971passed away today. He collapsed in the Washington Nationals' press box this afternoon at 12:30pm Eastern time. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he passed away a short time after. Cause of death is presently unknown. He was 73 years old.

Mr. Kalas will mostly be known as the voice for the Philadelphia Phillies, who are the defending World Series champions. But for us football fans, and for fans of my generation who grew up listening to Kalas as the voice of NFL Films, he'll be remembered as the guy who gave football that special awe that only NFL Films could capture.

The fans at The Good Phight have a story up remembering Kalas.

Harry Kalas: 1936-2009

Photo: philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com

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I was going to post this

I was going to post this a couple hours ago when my friend told me, but got caught up. I was just about to do a fanshot. It’s a shame, I’m not sure who’s going to replace him and if anyone even can. Sad day.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Apr 13, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Sad day

Won’t ever forget him…I particularly remember him in that 06 AFC CG clip:
“In past playoffs the Colts had twice been beaten down by the Patriots, but those days were merely done…with 2:17 to play, Indianapolis trailed by 3. THIS was the moment Colts’ fans have waited for…and Peyton Manning seized it”
There are surely more memorable phrases, like that from SB XLII but that just means a lot to us Colts’ fans…
Everytime I hear that, I just remember that day as if im living it…
R.I.P.

"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady

by BlueMark1821 on Apr 13, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

by peytonsthebest on Apr 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

and that's always the most important thing...

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: The fear of long words is called Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Think about that for a second.

by Cassieper on Apr 14, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions